THE recent Jack Neal Memorial Rally at Blyton in Lincolnshire saw mixed fortunes for the three local crews who ventured to the Gainsborough track.

Following on from their superb run on the Jack Frost Stages Rally, Northallerton father and daughter Andrew and Georgina Smith again impressed in their Ford Escort as they brought the car home in 13th overall and fourth in class.

Aiskew driver Joe Cunningham had just taken delivery the day before of a 1400cc Vauxhall Corsa having sold his Peugeot 106 and put in a late entry with Pickhill co-driver Chris Pattison. The pair were giving a good account of themselves when they encountered a driveshaft problem on SS7 and they were forced to retire.

It was a day of frustration also for Northallerton’s Graeme Bell and Russ Radford who were hoping for a good run in their Ford Escort RS2500 following the disappointment of the two recent Croft rallies in the slippery conditions. The pair made a good start but they were forced out when they suffered a broken oil pump on SS5 forcing retirement.

THE 25th running of the Lookout Stages is due to run on 12th April at Melbourne Airfield near York and with it being the 25th anniversary, the organisers, Trackrod MC, are hoping to make the event a bit special.

They plan to run a total in excess of 70 miles over eight stages and combined with further work on improving the venue including further concreting proposed prior to the event.

Demand is expected to be high for the event and regulations are available from the club www.trackrodmotorclub.co.uk.

AFTER a successful season in 2014 which saw a number of the region’s drivers lift major honours, the 2015 BTRDA Rallycross Championship kicks off again this weekend with the opening round at Blyton.

Martin Peters, from Ingleby Barwick, will be looking to maintain his crown in the Production 1600 Championship after an impressive season last year in the Preston Farm MOTs sponsored Citroen Saxo whilst Northallerton’s Larry Carter starts the defence of his 1600cc SuperModified title in the Fuchs Titan Race-backed Peugeot 206.

British Championship regular Guy Corner, from Northallerton, will be giving his supercharged 2000cc Peugeot 206 a shake down in readiness for next weekend’s opening round at Croft and former British Champion Brian Thornton from Borrowby will be back in action in his venerable 1400cc BL Metro in which he won the title 30 years ago.

Another current British Champion in action will be David Bell from Ferryhill who will be racing his BMW Mini prior to next weekend at Croft while Brompton’s Darren Grimston is considering doing likewise in his recently acquired 2000cc Vauxhall Nova in which he plans to contest the 2015 Ripla Retro Rallycross Challenge.

THE 40th anniversary Malcolm Wilson Rally gets under way on Saturday as the second round of the BTRDA Rally Championship heads to the Lake District.

Starting from the friendly town of Cockermouth, a number of local crews will be making the trip over the A66 to take on local ace Paul Bird, from Penrith, who easily won the series opener on the Wyedean last month.

Hamsterley’s Stephen Petch and Northallerton co-driver Ian Windress will be hoping for better luck in their WD-40 sponsored Ford Fiesta and will be joined in the SGP Motorsport camp by Steve Petch from Scorton and Exelby co-driver John Richardson in their Mitsubishi Lancer.

Crook’s Michael Wilkinson will return with Lancastrian driver David Wright whilst Darlington’s Steve Perry will partner Mike Williams in the SGP Motorsport Mitsubishi. Northallerton’s Charlie Taylor (Ford Escort), Durham driver David Coatsworth will have Pickhill’s Chris Pattison on the notes in his MGZR whilst Bishop Auckland youngsters Dan and Matt Thompson will be in action in their Peugeot 205.

The first car gets under way at 07.00 with the finish at Rheged at 14.39. Further details are available at www.malcolmwilson.co.uk.